Fifth Avenue fire destroys garage, damages Anoka home

Crews were called to a garage fire at a home at 1708 Fifth Ave. in Anoka Aug. 1.

Crews responded to a fire on Fifth Avenue in Anoka, which started in the garage and spread to the home, causing extensive damage. Photo courtesy of Pat Walker

High temperatures in the 90s meant extra mutual aid was needed to fight the fire.

“When it’s that hot out people can only work so long,” said Anoka-Champlin Fire Chief Charlie Thompson. Departments from Andover, Coon Rapids and Maple Grove were also on the call, which came in just after 5 p.m. on Aug. 1.

“The fire started in the garage and quickly spread,” said Thompson. In addition to the garage and the home to which it was attached, the fire also destroyed a couple of vehicles, two sheds and a neighboring garage.

Crews were able to keep it from spreading nearby, a challenge said Thompson, because many homes are now covered with vinyl siding that melts very fast.

“We were able to get there quickly and knock it down,” he said.

While the owner was home at the time of the fire, there were no injuries, according to the chief.

Thompson said because of the extent of the damage the cause of the fire may never be known. The damage to the Fifth Avenue home was so significant it is no longer habitable.

During the fire, Maple Grove covered the fire station in Champlin while the Elk River department handled Anoka.